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Slideshow
The week in pictures
Edinburgh Gin is celebrating the Edinburgh International Science Festival with ‘Distilling Live,’ featuring a live video of their gin being distilled with recipes crowdsourced through social media. The company will create three new, small batch gins using the recipes from each platform (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.) The campaign started on Monday, with users encouraged to vote for their favourite botanical combinations.
Bénédictine liqueur crowned the winners of its 2017 cocktail competitions this week in Manchester and Leeds.
Jack Sleaford from Épernay Champagne Bar
In Manchester, Jack Sleaford of Épernay Champagne Bar wowed with his ‘Healthy Bénéfits’ a combination of Bénédictine with apple cider vinegar, fruit infused water and topped with a coconut tea.
Jack Daniels from The Washhouse
Jack Daniels of The Washhouse also impressed the judges with his ‘Grandé Alexander,’ inspired by Lancashire tea, served on a bed of chamomile flowers and topped with a Bénédictine foam.
Meanwhile, in Leeds, Ashley Porter from the Strait and Narrow was praised for the versatility of his concoction. ‘Béné’s Brew’ combined Bénédictine with gin and infusions of chili and can be served either warm or chilled.
Yiannis Simos from the Alchemist was also commended for his ‘Béné Box’ cocktail, a twist on his Greek heritage. Inspired by Pandora’s Box, the creation was presented in a trinket box filled with dry ice.
Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem paid a visit to the home of luxury Scotch whisky Chivas Regal in Speyside, Scotland. He was shown the ropes by Chivas Regal Master Blender, Colin Scott, who shared his secrets of the art of blending.
Bardem certainly was not afraid to get stuck in, swapping acting for blending. His efforts were rewarded when he was presented with his own exclusive blend of latest release, Chivas Regal Ultis.
As we reported this week, Nusrat Ghani MP called for English wines to be served at diplomatic events to help “oil the wheels of the Brexit negotiations”. She is pictured here on a recent visit to Bluebell Vineyard Estates, in her constituency of Wealden, with vineyard owner Joyce Tay (left.)
Mr Trotter’s held a PIG OUT tasting on Monday at the White Horse pub in Parsons Green, London. The Trotter’s range was paired with a wide array of drinks including Taittinger Champagne, Casa Herradura Tequila Plata, Sipsmith Sloe Gin, Paolozzi Lager and Duvel Belgian Golden Ale. Creations included a Trottatini, a mix of Sipsmith Gin, Belsazar Vermouth and lemon peel with Mr Trotter’s Jalapeno seasoning around the rim of the glass, paired with Mr Trotter’s Jalapeno Sausalami.
It was announced this week that Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines will become the official wine partner to the Goodwood Estate, supplying still and sparkling wines to its hotels and events including Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival.
Flint Wines took a unique approach to its portfolio tasting this week, sorting it into music tracks that the wines would remind you of. Tracks included Our House (house wines and wines by the glass), All the Young Dudes (wines made by winemakers under 30) and Champagne Supernova (anything with bubbles.)
db took a trip to Raw Wine London on Sunday and experienced the weird, wonderful and sometimes just plain whacky world of natural, organic, biodynamic and orange wine. Founded by Isabelle Legeron MW aka ‘That Crazy French Woman’ this year’s show was held at the suitably dynamic 180 The Strand, complete with black panelling around the exterior.
Image: @food_writer Instagram Fiona Beckett
When we say orange, we really do mean orange. The show featured producers from Austria, France and Canada through to Chile, Georgia and Greece.
Image: @rawwineworld Instagram Raw Wine
Domaine Milan from Provence were among the producers exhibiting, showcasing among others, some surprisingly creamy whites. The wines are certified by Ecocert Bureau Veritas.
Photo: @rawwineworld Instagram Raw Wine. Valentine Warner from Hepple Gin.
Also joining the party were a selection of spirits producers including chef, presenter and co-creator of Hepple Gin, Valentine Warner, and Cornwall’s Southwestern distillery showcasing both their gin and pastis.
Photo @rawwineworld Instagram Raw Wine. Tom from Southwestern Distillery.